Photographer Asks Russian Investigators to Prove God Exists

Omsk photographer submits a request to Russia’s investigative committee to determine the existence of God

Vasiliy Melnichenko has turned in the appropriate documents. As the artist himself explained in an interview with Echo Moskvy, if the investigation determines that God doesn’t exist, then an investigation into the Russian Orthodox Church needs to take be initiated. Or a criminal case under the article of “Fraud on an exceptionally large scale”. If the investigation determines that God does exist, then Melnichenko wants to see the justification that the church operates on a legal basis, in particular, representing his interests.

In my opinion, the answer is obvious. There is no God, and Gundyaev is a fraudster.

corcornilov:

It will also be necessary to engage the science experts of the Russian Academy of Sciences

plast726:

Logical

leonidovlenya:

So why hasn’t he set the investigative committee going at the synagogue? The Catholic church, Islam…

ognivo:

No need to laugh at the wretched.

[Note: in Russian, the etymology of the word “wretched” comes from a prefix that used to mean “away from” and the word “God” itself.]

lebedev_64:

What crime is the Lord God accused of? Of criminal negligence when creating the world? The abuse of power after the creation of the world? Or of fraud, by dishonestly pretending he exists?

adashin: (responding to above)

What crime is the Lord God accused of?
Of not being the Lord God.

terpigorev:

This is the best joke of 2012

epopt: (responding to above)

No, it’s the best joke in 2012 years.

amster:

Knowing our investigative committee, I think that they’re going to start by checking up on the sanity of Melnichenko himself. I hope that the creative guy doesn’t drink and doesn’t smoke anything illegal…

old44:

Let’s wait for the counter-suit

viteck:

I don’t understand why our Orthodox citizens are against such a check. Actually, from their point of view, God 100% exists, without a doubt, so any investigation will easily prove his existence. Can you imagine how much the number of believers would grow after the publication of the results? :) Or perhaps our Orthodoxy doubts somewhere deep in their soul? Is their faith not as strong as they claim, and so they’re scared of investigations?… :)))

npridnia:

Vasiliy Melnichenko, what a stupid question you put to our investigative committee?! First, WHATEVER PUTIN SAYS WILL BE THE ANSWER!… and Putin knows all the answers.

Second, LET THE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATE SERDYUKOV AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS!…

Editor of russiaSLAM, Joe Innes, loves all things Russian (well - most things!) and is currently living in St. Petersburg. Please feel free to get in touch by Twitter, Facebook, or by using the contact form on the "About" page.

How DOES Russia view Christianity? In America, the situation is pretty much universally viewed as “If you believe in Christ, then you go right on ahead. And if you don’t, you go do that too.”

The way the article sounds, I feel like the photographer is challenging a state institution or something.

Paul M

You must live in a pretty cool part of America. I’ve heard that in the bible belt people can get pretty tribal over religion.

I’m not sure how it is in Russia now but 10 years ago most Russians I met were atheist or very secular (probably due to the fact that the Russians I socialised with were university educated), however there was a significant minority of practising Christians. I didn’t notice any real antagonism between people of different beliefs, although I did notice there was quite a bit of underlying anti-Semitism. This all may have changed as I believe Putin has given more power and authority to the Orthodox church.

I’m surprised you didn’t notice any anti-muslim sentiment… there’s an awful lot of that due to problems in the Caucasus, but I think Putin may be an aggravating factor…

Paul M

I did, however I put that down to racism against people from the Caucasus rather than against Muslims in general.

lonetrey / Dan

Ahaha, well, I’m from New Jersey, not to mention the town I live in has a large Asian-American/Asian population. While it’s true that there are a lot of Christian Asians here, it’s never too big of a deal and we all mingle regardless of faith.

I’ve _heard_ of Bible-thumping Americans too, but I’ve only ever seen them at college in Pennsylvania, and even then they were in the vast minority. I can see that happening though. Westboro Baptist Church is always reported on the Philip DeFranco show on Youtube as an example of “those crazies in America”.

RIPOFF

IT WOULD BETTER IF THEY STARTED WORK ON A CURE FOR RELIGION. IT IS A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS,